The drumbeat for a fossil fuel free energy utopia continues. But few have pondered how we will supposedly generate 25 billion megawatts of total current global electricity demand using just renewable energy, wind turbines, for instance. For starters, we're talking about some 830 million gigantic 500 foot tall turbines requiring a land area of some 12.5 billion acres. That's more than twice the size of North America, all the way through Central America reports Paul Driessen. 1
Spencer Morrison addresses two questions: 1- Are renewable energies making a difference, and 2- Are they sustainable?
In the United States, venture capitalists lost half of the $25 billion they pumped into start-ups of wind and solar between 2006 and 2011
The answer to the first question: No, wind and solar energy have not made a dent in global energy consumption, despite their rapid growth. In fact, after thirty years of beefy government subsidies, wind power still meets just 0.46% of Earth's total energy demand according to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA). Solar generates even less energy. 2
Morrison's answer to the second question: Is renewable energy sustainable? Is the future wind and soalr powered? No.
Looking at wind energy, between 2013 and 2014, again using IEA data, global energy demand grew by 2,000 terawatt-hours. In order to meet just this demand, we would need to build 350,000 new 2-megawatt turbines—enough to entirely blanket the British Isles. For context, that is 50% more turbines than have been built globally since the year 2000. 2
Wind energy is 'free' but countries with the most wind power are also the most likely to get to the top of the Prize Pool for exorbitant electricity prices. It's not even close. South Australian households pay the highest power prices in the world at 47.13 cents per kilowatt hour, more than Germany, Denmark and Italy, countries also noted for high 'free' wind energy concentration notes Joanne Nova. The US pays 15.75 cents per kilowatt hour. 3
In the United States, venture capitalists lost half of the $25 billion they pumped into start-ups of wind and solar between 2006 and 2011. They are no longer supporting wind and solar because they will not work as advertised. Almost all investment is now being made by federal and state governments by making outrageously false promises to taxpayers. 4
In a related issue, wind energy company Siemens Gamesa will eliminate 6,000 jobs. This means the German-Spanish company will shed more than a fifth of its 26,000 workers. The company also expects to see its revenue for the coming fiscal year to fall to 9 billion euros from almost 11 billion. This is the latest bad news slamming the green industry in Germany.5
Ironically, this announcement coincides with the Bonn Climate Conference taking place, which is calling for more wind and sun energy at a time the industry is collapsing at full speed in Germany. 5
The renewable future assumes 'eco-friendly' alternatives would provide reliable, affordable energy 24/7/365, even during windless, sunless weeks and cold, dry growing seasons. They never will says Paul Driessen. This means we will have electricity and fuels when nature cooperates instead of when we need them. 2
Jack Dini is author of Challenging Environmental Mythology. He has also written for American Council on Science and Health, Environment & Climate News, and Hawaii Reporter.
The drumbeat for a fossil fuel free energy utopia continues. But few have pondered how we will supposedly generate 25 billion megawatts of total current global electricity demand using just renewable energy, wind turbines, for instance. For starters, we're talking about some 830 million gigantic 500 foot tall turbines requiring a land area of some 12.5 billion acres. That's more than twice the size of North America, all the way through Central America reports Paul Driessen. 1
Spencer Morrison addresses two questions: 1- Are renewable energies making a difference, and 2- Are they sustainable?
